Warm sips
There’s no better feeling than enjoying a hot cup of your favourite beverage. Get a jolt of caffeine at one of these incredible downtown coffee shops.
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Looking to slow down and soak up the charm of the city? From quiet cafes to scenic strolls and hidden gems, downtown Calgary offers many cozy adventures.
There’s no better feeling than enjoying a hot cup of your favourite beverage. Get a jolt of caffeine at one of these incredible downtown coffee shops.
A specialty roaster & café focused on Ethiopian coffee; they roast in small batches to preserve the unique flavour profiles
Worth the Hype
Try their single-origin Ethiopian pour-over — a rich, aromatic cup that highlights the roastery’s roots and small-batch craft.
Long-running hangout providing specialty drinks along with homemade pastries & light fare. Great coffee and conversations since 1990.
Chefs Earth delivers wholesome, flavour-forward meals crafted with care, authenticity, and a commitment to accessibility.
Serving communities since 2008, Deville is a locally owned café group known for handcrafted espresso drinks, direct trade coffee, and fresh baked goods.
A relaxed and welcoming space in Calgary offering handcrafted cocktails, specialty coffee and flavourful small plates, with puzzles, chess and colouring to enjoy.
Gravity operates cafés, a roastery and a live music venue, blending exceptional coffee with a strong commitment to community and support for emerging artists.
There’s something magical about bookstores where cozy corners invite you to dream and every shelf holds a hidden gem. Explore these downtown favourites.
A curated shopping experience focused on Japanese manga, art books and collectibles for anime and pop culture fans.
An independent, locally owned bookstore specializing in high quality literature, are dog friendly and open 7 days a week.
Hidden in the basement of building 1336, this used bookstore overflows with treasured myths and wondrous tales stacked high. A place where you can buy, sell or trade books.
Hard-to-find titles are often lined up on the same shelf, making for a browsing experience that online shopping can still not duplicate.
A cozy, community-focused experience, where browsing shelves of curated new and used books pairs perfectly with a locally brewed coffee.
Celebrate storytelling on the big screen with downtown’s diverse film festivals, where local and international works of art come alive through community, creativity and culture.
November 19-23, 2025. The event screens 15+ full-length features, as well as shorts, varying in subject, style and genres within the art form.
In-person – Nov.13-16, 2025 & Online Nov. 17-23, 2025. A celebration of independent animation, a showcase of the best of what's being created here in Canada and around the world.
Oct. 31 – Nov. 9, 2025. Come together for a vibrant selection of contemporary films from across Europe at Globe Cinema.
Nov. 6-8, 2025. A mix of social justice and environmental films. The best part is that CJFF is free to attend.
Discover peaceful corners and endless shelves in downtown YYC libraries. It’s your space to read, reflect, and reconnect.
Known for its stunning architecture, this library offers more than just books. It's an iconic space that often hosts local events, live performances, and workshops.
Memorial Park Library was Alberta’s first public library and on opening day it housed 5,000 books. In 2018 the Library and surrounding park were designated a National Historic Site.
In the mood for an indie gem or the latest blockbuster hit? Head to these downtown Calgary theatres for a cozy movie night in the heart of the city.
Enjoy mystery and thriller productions at a theatre located in the Calgary Tower complex.
Movie lovers will adore the Globe Cinema’s vintage charm. This beloved theatre screens classic films, as well as indie flicks and features during the annual Calgary International Film Festival.
Enjoy one-act plays and entertaining productions at Lunchbox Theatre.
If you want to catch big bands, whether local or international, then you’ll definitely see them here at The Palace Theater.
Whether you hit up one spot or all of them, every visit makes a difference. Let’s keep supporting our community and enjoying everything downtown Calgary has to offer!
Check out some resources to help make visiting downtown convenient.
From chill hangouts to adrenaline-pumping activities, there’s something for every vibe in Downtown Calgary. Let your next great experience find you.
